My Love Affair With Ducks...

[Mimi13]

They are so precious! How can you go an leave them crying out there for 5 hrs!

Yeah, I know and when put like that, I need to be shot. I didn’t know ducklings got so attached. I honestly thought that the tough love scenario was what was needed.

I have changed my plan. (Wonder how many times that will happen?) I have set up one of the 10x10 kennels in a sunny and grassy part of the back yard, still within chicken gathering - even though not a single one has shown up so far. They are still lounging under the bushes. They come out and start grazing once the sun has gone down a bit. I’ll put a feeder and waterer over by the ducks to initiate more interaction. Integration is one of my biggest concerns with the ducklings. I’ve been very lucky with integrating chickens only, but adding a different species is a bit different.

Needless to say I’ve been sitting with them this whole time, I guess going on two hours now.

All five lounging, which they did a lot. Quinny is laid up on top of Latte, foot and all.

Gotta get those legs tan, girls!

And even though it wasn’t my intention, I took the flower pot out of the center of the waterer and of course several jumped in. Here is Petey just chillin!

 

[Mimi13]

I can’t remember what I was going to say, I am speechless.

That’s shocking!

 

[Mimi13]

They just grow crazy fast don't they.
It's like you can see them growing right before your eyes. I know there were times with the Cayuga ducklings I have raised that I could swear they grew overnight.

That’s just about how I felt night before last. It was amazing to see the difference. I’m like, where did all that room go between the waterer and the side of the pool!

 

[Miss Lydia]

They are just so beautiful. If you get up an leave will they cry?

 

[Knighstar679]

Yeah, I know and when put like that, I need to be shot. I didn’t know ducklings got so attached. I honestly thought that the tough love scenario was what was needed.

I have changed my plan. (Wonder how many times that will happen?) I have set up one of the 10x10 kennels in a sunny and grassy part of the back yard, still within chicken gathering - even though not a single one has shown up so far. They are still lounging under the bushes. They come out and start grazing once the sun has gone down a bit. I’ll put a feeder and waterer over by the ducks to initiate more interaction. Integration is one of my biggest concerns with the ducklings. I’ve been very lucky with integrating chickens only, but adding a different species is a bit different.

Needless to say I’ve been sitting with them this whole time, I guess going on two hours now.

View attachment 2096010

All five lounging, which they did a lot. Quinny is laid up on top of Latte, foot and all.
View attachment 2096006

View attachment 2096011

Gotta get those legs tan, girls!
View attachment 2096013

And even though it wasn’t my intention, I took the flower pot out of the center of the waterer and of course several jumped in. Here is Petey just chillin!
View attachment 2096003

more baths and preening after makes feathering happen just a bit faster.

 

[Mimi13]

They are just so beautiful. If you get up an leave will they cry?

Well, I’m hoping for that to subside. It breaks my heart. I guess that’s why every dog I’ve ever owned started out sleeping with me. Those little whimpers and sad eyes get me every time.

I did just come inside, and they didn’t cry. This time anyway.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yay they will get braver then you'll be going they don't love me any more. lol

 

[shawluvsbirds]

Yeah, I know and when put like that, I need to be shot. I didn’t know ducklings got so attached. I honestly thought that the tough love scenario was what was needed.

I have changed my plan. (Wonder how many times that will happen?) I have set up one of the 10x10 kennels in a sunny and grassy part of the back yard, still within chicken gathering - even though not a single one has shown up so far. They are still lounging under the bushes. They come out and start grazing once the sun has gone down a bit. I’ll put a feeder and waterer over by the ducks to initiate more interaction. Integration is one of my biggest concerns with the ducklings. I’ve been very lucky with integrating chickens only, but adding a different species is a bit different.

Needless to say I’ve been sitting with them this whole time, I guess going on two hours now.

View attachment 2096010

All five lounging, which they did a lot. Quinny is laid up on top of Latte, foot and all.
View attachment 2096006

View attachment 2096011

Gotta get those legs tan, girls!
View attachment 2096013

And even though it wasn’t my intention, I took the flower pot out of the center of the waterer and of course several jumped in. Here is Petey just chillin!
View attachment 2096003

Enjoy them missing you while it lasts.
They will soon be in the everyone is an Axe murderer stage.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

Mine are just two weeks and they have already gone all axe murderer on me I usually get 3 weeks, these are Frankenducklings. The last set I raised never had this stage.

 

[Mimi13]

Yay they will get braver then you'll be going they don't love me any more. lol

You are exactly right.